Fork & Knife in Boca Raton Serves Modern Takes on American Classics

We have a lot -- perhaps an excess, really -- of National _______ Days in this country. If it isn't National Talk Like a Pirate Day, it's National Appreciate Your Furniture Day or some other such thing. (OK, we kind of love the former. Arrgh!)

Most people roll their eyes at this, but when 4/20 comes around... Well, they still roll... stuff.

Then afterward, they wanna eat stuff! Fattening stuff. Lots of stuff. Greasy, unhealthy, wonderful stuff. We have found the perfect restaurant for that.

With a large bar and indoor/outdoor seating, the spot takes on the vibe of a reinvented diner or grill. It's filled with maple woods, stainless-steel accents, cobalt-blue hues, and large black and whites of famous delis, coffee shops, and grills hanging on the walls.

The menu is chock-full of classic comfort dishes -- it's perfect for those with a self-induced stimulated appetite.

While lighter options are available, the signature dishes are on the heavier side. The chicken and waffles ($25) is all about fried stuff and starch. It combines fried chicken, a waffle, sweet potato fries, maple syrup, and sriracha.

The Detroit Coney Dogs ($10) are inspired by the famous hot dogs of the Motor City's Lafayette Coney Island. Two grilled dogs are topped with homemade Coney sauce, mustard, and onions and served on steamed buns with hand-cut fries.

"Detroit Coney Dogs are the equivalent of the cheese steaks in Philly," says co-owner Scott Niskar. "Everyone has their favorite Coney. It's really about the sauce, a beanless chili. Ours is from Lafayette; we modeled the sauce after theirs."

The selection of signature fries is another main draw. The spot offers freshly cut fries with toppings like salt and vinegar ($5), bacon gravy ($5), Parmesan and truffle oil ($6), and Gorgonzola and balsamic ($6).

For wake-and-bakers -- or those looking to break the fast -- the place offers the same sort of modern American fare for brunch. Items range from a Cap'n Crunch French toast ($10) to crab cake Benedict ($15) to crispy brisket and potato hash topped with three fried egg ($10).

To top it off, the place has plenty of craft cocktails, beer, and wine. Head bartender Scott Heimke mixes drinks such as the strawberry basil gin fizz, with Hendrick's gin, St. Germaine, muddled strawberries, and muddles basil. A Michigan-inspired option is the Vernors Float, with Bacardi Oakheart spiced rum, Michigan-made Vernors ginger ale, and Madagascar vanilla ice cream.